The future for some youth in Chatham-Kent is looking a little brighter after the municipality signed a partnership with the University of Windsor to "train and retain" young talent.
Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday afternoon to provide post-secondary training, internships, co-op placements, and other opportunities for bright young minds closer to home.
U Windsor President Dr. Robert Gordon said the cooperation wouldn't mean a stand alone satellite university campus in Chatham, but it could result in more programs being developed similar to the nursing program collaboration struck with St. Clair College a year ago.
He also noted the law, engineering, and business programs could really help the municipality by driving innovation and supporting growth.
CK Mayor Darrin Canniff told the crowd the partnership will create "win-win scenarios" for students and the municipality.
Mayor Canniff said the collaboration has been in the works for a while and this is just the start.
"I always envision very big things. So, the sky is the limit on this. We're meeting after this to start talking about that. What is the low hanging fruit and what is our long term aspirations. Ultimately we want to see a significant enhancement in post-secondary education here," the mayor said.
Canniff said the municipality will begin talking soon to determine how to best take advantage of the program and where to begin. He said several departments will be involved in co-ops and training.
Dr. Gordon said the partnership will deliver work-ready professionals to address current and future regional challenges by building relationships with the chamber of commerce and the private sector.
He also noted Chatham-Kent will benefit from research initiatives that support local business, non-profit, and community development by creating jobs while students gain practical skills.
"We generate about $45 million a year in external research funding as a university. We have grown our research capacity a lot over the last several years. We have nearly 650 faculty at the University of Windsor that as we develop this relationship and that connectivity can really come and provide support in various ways," said Dr. Gordon.
Those in the public and private sector interested in tapping into the program can reach out to the UWindsor co-op career services office.